FLORENCE, Wis. — Florence County Sheriff’s Office will join hundreds of law enforcement agencies throughout Wisconsin for the annual Click It or Ticket safety belt enforcement campaign through June 2.

“As we enter another major travel season, we’re reminding motorists that wearing a safety belt is the single most effective way to protect themselves and prevent needless tragedies along our roadways,” said Sheriff Dan Miller.

Currently, Wisconsin’s seat belt use rate stands at 89 percent. Last year, about half of the car and truck occupants killed in Wisconsin traffic crashes were not buckled up.

“Our goal is voluntary compliance with traffic laws, not to write citations,” Miller said. “But given a choice, we’d much rather write a ticket than to have to knock on someone’s door and inform them that a loved one has been killed or seriously injured in a crash. So we’re reminding all motorists to buckle up, every seat, every trip.”

This year marks the 10-year anniversary of Wisconsin’s primary seat belt law that allows law enforcement to stop and cite all motorists for failing to wear a safety belt. In addition, drivers can be cited for every unbuckled passenger in their vehicle.